Pad folding machine



June 4, 1957 H. GANZ PAD FOLDING MACHINE 9 Sheefs-Shqet 1 Filed April 6,1955 A-Me Y fwwz.

ATTORNEYS f Zlun 4, 1957 H. GANZ PAD FOLDING MACHINE Filed April 6, 19559 Sheets-$heet 2 INVENTOR ENE 7 ATTO egg? H. GANZ PAD FOLDING MACHINE.June 4, 1957 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 6, 1955 77 ATTORN EYS I June4, 1957 H. 'GANZ 2 ,794,482

PAD FOLDING MACHINE INVENTOR l exv/Pr n/vz June 4, 1957 H. GANZ PADFOLDING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 6. 1955 z w M y W. W W/ 24:5 PAL; W) A 1 5. a a h g2. w E

June 4, 1957 H. GANZ PAD FOLDING MACHINE 9 Shees-Sheet 7 Filed April 6.1955 June 4, 1957 H. GANZ PAD FOLDING momma 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed April6, 1955 INVENTOR l/E/VRY 6 7 v I Z w /z/ ll :12

BY W w ATTORNEYS;

June 4, 1957 H. GANZ PAD FOLDING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed April 6,1955 INVENTOR 627x047 6 NZ ,wagm ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent F PAD FOLDING MACHINE Henry Ganz, West Englewood,N. J., assignor to Johnson & Johnson, a corporation of New JerseyApplication April 6, 1955, Serial No. 499,716

16 Claims. (Cl- 154-29) The present invention relates to the art offolding pad blanks of flexible material and although the invention has awide range of utility, it is particularly useful in connection with theart of cutting and folding surgical gauze pad blanks.

A useful form of surgical gauze pad comprises a sheet of absorbentfiller material, such as attenuated cotton, a

sheet of unwoven fabric facing one side of the cotton sheet and a sheetof gauze facing the opposite side of the cotton sheet. The facing sheetsare rectangular, substantially co-extensive in shape and size andsubstantially in registry and the filler sheet therebetwe'en is alsorectangular in shape but smaller than the facing sheets and is centrallylocated edgewise with respect to the facing sheets. The sides of thefacing sheets projecting beyond the corresponding sides of the fillersheet are infolded over the body of the pad and the ends of the facingsheet projecting beyond the corresponding ends of the filler sheet arefolded inwardly over the body of the pad. The rectangular surgical padblank, constructed and bordered as described with marginal folds, isquadrantly folded for use, first by folding doubly along one medial lineof the blank and then folding doubly again along another medial line atright angles to the first medial line.

One object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedmachine for infolding the end sections of a flexible pad blank.

Another object of the invention is to provide -a new and improvedmachine for infolding the end sections of a flexible pad blank in amanner to converge the side edges of the resulting endfolds towardstheir outer free ends, and to insure thereby the presentation of neatsquare corners in the final quadrantly folded pad.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improvedmachine for doubly folding the bordered pad blanks for the first foldalong their medial lines in succession by cyclic operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved machinefor correlating the infolding of the end sections of the bordered padblank and the first folding of the blank doubly along its medial line,to perform these operations almost simultaneously.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method offolding the ends of the pad blank and doubly folding the blank along itsintermediate section, so that both of these operations are performedalmost simultaneously.

In carrying out certain features of the present invention, a continuousflexible pad strip (which may comprise a continuous facing piece ofgauze and a continuous facing piece of unwoven fabric withinterveningsheets of cotton filler spaced therealong and with the side edges of thefacing pieces folded inwardly) is moved past a cutter and cut intoindividual blanks centrally between the sheets of the cotton filler.These side bordered pad blanks, after being cut, are carried into thefield of operation of a folding device which serves to fold the ends ofthe blank and at the-same time fold the blank doubly 2,794,482 PatentedJune 4, 1957 about its center line. This folding device, in accordancewith the more specific aspects of the invention, comprises two hollowrotary folding rolls disposed side by side and having perforations incertain parts of their peripheries in communication with the rollinteriors, which in turn are maintained cyclically under vacuum. Locatedopposite these folding rolls are three folding knives movable toward andaway from the rolls. These folding blades are located so that theintermediate blade is opposite the region where the two folding rollscome together and the two outside folding blades are located just beyondthe peripheries of the two rolls. A pair of folding jaws flank the tworolls and are moved cyclically towards and away from these rolls. Thepad blanks as they are cut off from the continuous strip are supportedon the two rolls and the folding blades are moved towards the rolls. Theintermediate blade folds the middle section of the blank into the biteof the rolls, while the outside folding blades partially fold the endsof the blank inwardly. During this operation, the terminal sections of.the end folds are gathered to converge and set in the sides of the endfolds. At the same time, the two folding jaws move inwardly towards therolls to lap the partially folded end sections of the blank against thebody of the .pad and conformably against the perforated sections of therolls to complete the end folds. Approximately at the same time, therolls are placed under vacuum and the rolls are rotated in oppositedirections towards each other. This action causes the blank to .be fedthrough the bite of the rolls, while the end folds are suctoriallyretained against the rolls with their side fold edges converging asdescribed, until the blank passes completely through the bite. Thisoperation will complete the folding of the blank along its intermediatesection and will also serve to crease sharply the intermediate foldlines and the end fold lines, thereby producing a neat compact pad. Thispad may again be doubly folded in any suitable manner, to produce thefinal quadrantly folded pad.

Although the invention is described herein in connection with themanufacture of a specific type of surgical pad having specific componentelements, as far as cerstain aspects of the invention are concerned, theinvention could be adapted to the folding of any other type of flexiblepad.

Various other objects, features and advantages of the present inventionare apparent from the following particular description and frominspection of the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a sideelevation of the folding machine embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail in side elevation of a part of the machine foroperating the jaws by which a section of the continuous pad strip is fedinto the field of action of the folding device;

Fig. 3 is a top plan and sectional view taken approximately along thelines 33 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 4 is a perspective of one of the folding rolls;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section of the machine taken approximately alongthe lines 5-5 of Figs. 1 and 6;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the machine taken approximately alongthe lines 66 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a secn'on of the folding device taken along the lines 77 ofFig. 6, and shows this device in one of its initial stages of a foldingcycle, and in a position in which a forward section of the continuousflexible strip is on the verge of being grasped by jaws and drawnthereby into the field of operation of the folding device;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section of part of the folding device shown in alater stage, at the time the forward section of the continuous strip hasbeen brought directly over the 3 Y folding rolls and after it has justbeen severed to form a blank;

I ing blades;

Fig.10 is a vertical section of part of the folding device at a stilllater stage, in which the ends of the blank have been completely folded,the blank is being fed through the bite of the two rolls and the foldingblade ar on f their return stroke; 7

T Fig; 11 is a perspective showinga stage 'of thdfdl'ding operationcorresponding to that shown in Figl'9;

,-Fig.- 12 is a side view partly in s'ectidn'shoWing the folding jaws,which cooperate with the. folding "rol s. to complete the folding of theends of theblank and'showing the vacuum in thefolding rolls;

thefmechanisrn for moving said jaws towards'and 'away from the rolls; a

' Fig. 13 is' a side elevation partly-in section oftheme'chanism foroperating the. valve "whichlcyclically controls Zmeans by whioh'theserolls are rotatedduring'eertain phases of operation;

' Fig. 15 is a detail inside elevation of the machine showing thecontrol valves for the vacuum system and 1 part of the drive for theconveyor which carries"away the pads after they have been folded by themachine of the present invention;

Fig. 16 is a perspective of a blank, the sides and the endsof which havebeen folded, the ends having been folded by the machine of the presentinvention and shows Fig. 18 shows the final pad produced by doubly fold-I ing the pad of Fig. 17 to produce a surgical gauzepad in p which thebasic blank is quadrantly folded, this last stage double type adapted tooperate simultaneously on two continuous flexible gauze strips side byside. However,

in the following description, reference to a single strip is made forthe sake of simplification, it being understood that the operationsdescribed may be duplicated for the -other strip in connection with adouble machine.

Referring to Figs. 1 and of the drawings, the machine of the presentinvention operates on a continuous flexible pad strip 10 comprising acontinuous piece 11* of gauze along which are spaced rectangularsheets12 of absorbent filler material, such as thinned-out or attenuatedcotton.

\ Facingthese cotton sheets '12 is a continuous piece 13 of suitableabsorbent facing material, such as un-Woven fabric. 'The' two continuousfacing pieces 11 and 13 are of the same width and in registry and thelongitudinal jside margins of these pieces project beyond the sides ofthe cotton sheets 12 and are folded over to form the continuous sidefolds 14 :"The continuous flexible pad strip 10, constructed as"described, is fed from a supply roll (notshown), and advanced over aseries of guide rolls or rods 15, andover of the stripadjacent to saidbed) until the strip reaches.

a bed 16 (with the gauze piece 11 on the bottom face the field ofoperation of a cutting device 17. A pair'of the region of the cuttingdevice 17 and pull a section 10 of this strip of predetermined lengthbeyond said cutting device, whereupon the cutting device cuts off thesection transversely from the rest of the strip at a regioncentrallybetween successive cotton sheets 12. This cut section 10 the rn'a'chineof the flexible strip 10* constitutes the blank upon which the machineof the present invention operates to form the pad shown in Fig. 17,which later may be doubly folded in any suitable manner to form thefinished pad shown in 5 Fig. 18.

The blank 10 before being folded is flat and substantially square andcomprises the gauze facing sheet 11 (see Fig. 16 which shows the blankbut after the end sections have been infolded by the machine of thepresent inven- 10 tion) and the unwoven fabric facing sheet 13 with theabsorbent cotton filler sheet 12 therebetween, the ends of these facingsheets 11 and 13 projecting beyond the ends of the filler sheet, and thesides of these facing sheets which project beyond the sides of thefiller sheet being 16 folded inwardly to define'the side folds 14. Thisblank 10, in the condition described just after severance, is in thefield of action of a folding device 20 as shown in Fig. 8. Said foldingdevice, operating on the blank 10, folds the projecting ends'of thefacing gauzesheet 11 20 and unwoven fabric sheet 13 inwardly to formendfolds 21 on the blank, as shown in Fig. 16. At the same time,

the folding device 20 folds the blank 10 doubly along a medial line 22to form the pad shown in Fig. 17; This pad after being folded isdelivered to a conveyor 23 (Fig.

25 l) and carried to a station where it may be foldedagain in anysuitable manner, to form the complete pad shown in Fig. 18, or otherwisefurther processed.

' Referring now more in detail to the construction of the machine, thecontinuous flexible pad' strip 10, after passing from the supply roll(not shown) over the series of guide rolls or rods 15 (Fig. 1), passesover the bed 16 (Figs. 1, 5, 7 and 8) and into the field of operation ofthe cutting device 17. This supporting bed 16 cooperates with agravityweighting plate 25 (Figs. 1 and 5.) to hold the strip 10 transverselynear the region of the cutting device 17, while the cutting device issevering the section from the-strip. The bed 16 and weighting plate 25are moved relatively towards each other to clamp the strip 10, not onlyduring cutting operation but after cutting operation while the jaws 18and 19 are returning to grip the forward edge of the continuous strip 10for the drawing of the next strip section, and are moved relativelyapart to release the strip after the jaws 18 and 19 have taken hold topull thenext section of the strip 10 into the field of operation of thefolding device 20. l t

45. To permit the jaws 18 and 19 to pick up easily the-for- .ward cutend of the strip 10 the bed 16, which is in the .forrnof a plate, hasaseriesof spaced fingers 27 (Figs.

:15, 7. and 48) at its forward end.. The bedplate 16 is i mountedonaishaft 28 (Fig. l) for swingingmovernent thereabout and. is operatedfor that purpose .by any suitzable. means, as. for.examp1e,.by means ofacrankand i-connectingj rod device 30 indirectly through a cam from a .1motor 31', in timerelation, to

described.

..;..The upper Weighting plate 25,. atits forward end, has f a seriesoffingers 32 (Figs.,5, 7'and 8) similar torthe ,fingers 27- on the bedplate 16 and in vertical registry there with. The-rear section of theweighting plate 25 is connected to a heavybar 33 (Figs. 1 and 5), whichin 50; turn is connected at its ends to levers 3 4 rigidly secured tothe shaft 2 for rotation therewith.- Through the ac tr'on of-gravitx thelevers 34 tend to press yieldably the Qupper plate 25 rigid therewithagainst the strip 10. on the bed plate 16 during cutting action, so thatthis. plate exerts aconstant holding pressure on the strip during suchactionfregardless of its thickness or any variations there- "inJ' MTheupper plate25 also acts to maintain holding jpressurei on the forwardend of the strip 10 until the jaws18 and 19 have returned to grip theforward end for the other operations to be thenext run.

{Ifo release the strip 10 from the plates 16 and so 1 that a lengththereof may. be pulled by the, jaws 18 and -19, the upperplate 25 mayalso be moved away from the l wsrsgl .1 Th m m an. b s 'spte pby a s a iandfiqanesfias devi e @6 .(Fia lmri ea d rectly through a cam-from themotor 31 in time relation to the other operations to be described andacting to drive positively the shaft 28 rigid with the upper plate 25ina direction to swing said upper plate away from the bed 16 but allowingsaid upper plate and said shaft to move'in the opposite direction by theaction of gravity for the purpose indicated.

The jaws 18 and 19 (Figs. 1, 5, 6 and 7 )which grip the forward end ofthe flexible strip 10 from between the plates 16 and 25, pull out asection of predetermined length thereof for severance and then releasethe severed section for folding-are located one over the other. The

lower jaw 18 in the form of a plate is maintained in horizontal positionand is reciprocated towards and away from the plates 16 and whilemaintaining its horizontal level. For that purpose, the jaw plate 18 ismounted on a carriage comprising two cross-heads 41 rigidlyinterconnected and slotted to receive respective guides 42 aflixed tothe frame structure 43 of the machine. The jaw plate '18 is rigidlysecured at its sides to these cross-heads.

The drive mechanism for reciprocating the carriage 40 horizontallytowards and away from the strip holding plates 16 and 25, comprises apulley 44 (Fig. 1) on a shaft 45 driven from the motor 31 through a belt46. On the shaft 45 is a sprocket 47 driving a sprocket 48 on a shaft 50by means of a chain 51. The shaft 50 extends across the machine and,near its ends, carries respective crank arms 52 pivotally joined torespective connecting rods 53 at one end, the other ends being pivotallyconnected to respective upstanding lever arms 54, pivotally secured attheir lower ends at 55 to the frame structure of the machine. The upperends of these lever arms 54 are pivotally connected to respective links56 (Figs. 1 and 2), which in turn are pivotally connected to the rearends of the cross-heads 41 on the carriage 40.

With the drive mechanism described, as the crank arms 52 rotate, theyoscillate the lever arms 54 back and forth, causing the carriage 40 toreciprocate horizontally along the guides 42 and'the lower jaw plate 18carried by the carriage to move horizontally therewith.

The upper jaw 19 inclines downwardly towards the lower jaw 18, as shownin Fig. 7, and is also carried by the carriage 40 for reciprocatingmovement therewith. In addition, the upper jaw 19 has a rocking movementduring its horizontal reciprocating movement, to move the jaws 18 and 19cyclically towards and away from each other, so that the forward end ofthe strip 10 may be gripped from between the jaws 16 and 25, pulled outuntil a section of this strip of predetermined length has been drawn outfor severance and released for folding.

To mount the upper jaw 19 on the carriage 40 for horizontalreciprocating movement therewith, the rear side of the upper jaw plate19 is rigidly connected to a bar 69 (Figs. 5 and 7), the ends of whichhave journals 61 in bearing plates 62 secured to the inner sidesrespectively of'the cross heads 41 of the carriage 40. To rock the jaw19 during its horizontal reciprocating movement, the two carriagecross-heads 41 have mounted on their rear side bearings 63 (Figs. 1, 3,5 and 6) for a rock shaft 64. Rigidly secured to this rock shaft 64 isan arm 65 pivotally connected at its outer end to a link 66, which inturn is pivotally connected to one end of an arm 67 (Figs. 1, 5 and 7),the other end being rigidly secured to the bar carrying the upper jaw19.

The shaft 64 is rocked during reciprocation of the carriage 40, therebyrocking the upper jaw 19 towards and away from the lower jaw 18. Themechanism for rocking the shaft 64 comprises a sprocket 78 (Fig. 1) onthe shaft 71 driven from a sprocket 72 on the shaft 50 through a chain73. On the shaft 71 is a sprocket 74 driving a sprocket 75 on a shaft 76through a chain 77. This shaft 76 carries a sprocket 78 which drives asprocket 79 on a shaft 80 through a chain 81. On the shaft 80 is a cam82 in follower engagement with a roller 83 on a substantially horizontallever arm 84 (Figs. 1, 5 and 6), one end of which is pivotally supportedat 85v on a fixed axis, the

other free end having a slot to receive a fixed guide post 86. As thecam 82 rotates, the arm 84 (being in follower engagement with the camthrough the roller 83) is oscillated up and down about its fixed pivotalsupport at '85.

To transmit the oscillating movement of the arm 84 to the upper jaw 19,an arm 88 (Figs. 1, 5 and 6) secured to the rockshaft 64 near one endcarries a roller 90 seated on the upper edge of the arm 84. Since therock shaft 64 is carried by the carriage 40, and the arm 84 is fixedagainst translation, the carriage 40, as it reciprocates horizontally,causes the roller90 to ride along the upper edge of the arm 84. Theroller 90, is maintained in contact with the upper edge of the arm 84through a spring 91 (Figs. 1, 5 and 6), anchored at one end to one ofthe carriage cross-heads 41 and secured at its other end to an arm 92afiixed to the rock shaft. This spring 91 may be employed to maintainthe roller 83 on the lever arm 84 against the cam 82, or a spring 89 maybe employed for that special purpose.

With the arrangement as described, as the carriage 40 is reciprocatedtowards and away from the strip holding plates 16 and 25, the roller 90rides along the upper edge of .the arm '84. While-thecarriage 40 isapproaching the strip holding plates 16 and 25, the high part of the cam82 is in engagement with its follower roller83, the lever arm 84 istherefore in elevated position and the jaws 18 and 19 are opened. As thecarriage 40 on its forward movementapproaches close to the end of itsstroke towards the strip holding plates 16 and 25, the low part of thecam 82 comes into engagement with the follower roller 83 and causes thelever arm 84 to be lowered about its pivot support at 85. This causesthe upper jaw 19 to move downwardly (Figs. 1 and 7) towards the jaw 18to grip the forward end of the strip 10 between the two plates 16 and25. By the end of the forward stroke of the carriage 40 towards theplates 16 and 25, the two jaws 18 and 19 will have come together to gripthe forward end of the strip 10 During the rearward stroke of thecarriage 40 towards the left (Figs. 1 and 7.), the low constant part ofthe cam 82 is operating on the follower roller 83, maintaining the twojaws closed on the forward end of the strip 10. This causes the jaws 18and 19, so clamped on the forward end of the strip 10 to pull out alength of the strip. When the carriage 40 reaches the end of therearward stroke towards the left, the cutting device 17 comes intoaction, causing severance of the rear end of the section of the strip 10drawn out. Immediately thereafter, the high part of the cam 82 comes incontact with the follower roller 83 and causes the upper jaw 19 to moveaway from the lower jaw 18, thereby releasing the cut section, whereuponthe folding device 20 takes over.

To facilitate gripping of the forward end of the strip 10 by the jaws 18and 19 at the end of the forward stroke of said jaws, withoutinterference from the jaws 16 and 25, the lower jaw 18 is in the form ofa plate but is slotted at its gripping edge to define a series offingers (Figs. 5 and 7) staggered with respect to the vertically alignedfingers 27 and 32 of the plates 16 and 25, and the upper jaw 19 consistsof a series of fingers 191, their gripping ends 102 being offset fromtheir bodies to maintain these ends parallel to the fingers 100 on thelower jaw 18 during strip gripping action. The upper jaw fingers 101 arein vertical alignment with the lower jaw fingers 100 and staggered withrespect to the fingers 27 and 32 of the plates 16 and 25. By means ofthis construction, the aligned fingers 100 and 101 on the jaws 18 and 19are able to enter the spaces between the aligned fingers 27 and 32 ofthe plates 16 and 25 to grasp the forward end of the strip 10 withoutinterference between the two sets of jaws 18 and 19 and the plates 16and 25.

After a predetermined section of the flexible strip 10 has been drawn bythe jaws 18 and'19 in the manner described, the cutting device 17comesinto actionv tosever rthis section in a region nearathe plates 16and 25-'to form *the'pad blank 10, while theseplates are holding thestrip therebetween. 'This cutting device (Figs. 1 a'nd'S) comprises' alower cutting *block'110 affixed to the frame structure of the machineand av vertically reciprocable upper cutting blade 111-connected to abeam 112, which in turn is secured at its ends to a pair of verticalslides 113 movable vertically in guides 114 respectively. The mech anismfor reciprocating the upper knife 111 in time relationwith the otheroperations of'them'achine, comprises a shaft 115 (Fig. 1) driven fromthe shaft St through a sprocket and chaindrive 116 and carrying crankarms 116 at its ends'connectedtothe' slides through connecting rods 117.

After a section of the flexible strip 10 has been drawn out: by thejaws18 and 19 and severed as described to form the pad blank "10, thejaws' are opened up to release the blank, whereupon the'foldingmechanism 20 takes over. This folding mechanism 20 comprises a pair oftowards the folding roll 120 mounted on a fixed axis.

The blank 10 is adapted to be folded across its medial section betweenthe rolls 120'and 121 and at its ends against the peripheries of therolls to form the end folds 21 (Fig. 16). To assist in the formation ofthese end folds 21, the rolls 120 and 121 are hollow and cyclically incommunication with a source of vacuum and have respective banks 135 and136 of suction holes extending along the rolls and communicating withthe interiors. thereof. These suction holes 135 and 136 serve to holdthe end 'folds 21 against the body of the blank and the end sections ofthe body of the blank opposite said folds against the peripheries of therolls 120 and 121, while the medially folded blank is going through thebite of the rolls. For that reason, the rolls 120 and 121 are so gearedthat the banks 135 and 136 of the suction holes thereon are spaced equaldistances from the bite of these rolls.

For pushing the blank 10 into the field of action of the folding rolls120 and 121 and for initiating the different folds therein, the foldingdevice 20 includes a folding blade unit 140 (Figs. 1, 6 and 7) above thefolding rolls and above the path of horizontal reciprocating movement ofthe jaws 18 and 19. Said folding unit comprises a horizontal frame beam141 carrying the different folding I blades to be described andconnected at its ends to slides 142, each guided for vertical movementon the corresponding side of'the machine in guides 143 and 144 (Figs. 1and 6). Rigidly connected to the beam 141 on opposite sides thereof aretwo folding blades 145 and 146 (Figs. 6 and '7) adapted to initiatefolding of the end sections of the blank 10 to form the end folds 21 andlocated for that purpose near the outsides of the two rolls 126 and 121.

These outside blades 145 and 146 are connected to the a beam 141tolpermit adjustments in the distances of these blades from said beam,and to accommodate thereby pad blanks 10 of different sizes. For thatpurpose, the blade 145 is' connected to the'beam 141 bymeans of studs147 passing through holes 148 in the blade, through a block 150 andthrough a spacer 151 and threaded into the beam. The blade 146 issimilarly connected to the beam 141 by means of studs 152 passingthrough holes 153 in the blade, through a'block 154, and through aspacer 155 and threaded into the beam. The blade holes 148 and 153areverticallyelongated toiperinit adjustments in the vertical positions'of the blades 145 and 146 and of -other thickne'sses,'-accordf g to thedesired spacings of the blades ifrdm'theeefiter'of the;beam'141.-'

i The folding blade unit 14fl also includes agcenter-folding blade 160adapted to-tuck (the medial section of the blank 10 into the bite of thefolding rolls 120 and 121 to initiate the center fold of the blank.Thiscenter folding .blacle 160 is resilientlysupported topreventbreakage due to'acciden'talimpact'orshock, and for that purpose;the folding blade is connected by means'of. studs 161 to a pair ofvertical-rods 162 passing through respective slide bearings 163 in-*thebeam'141; 4 The upperends ofthese rods 162 carry respective nuts :164serving to limit down- 7 -warc l movement of the folding'blade 160,3.I1dstrong "coil springs l65 en circling' said rodsbear atone end againstthe'underside of thebearn141 and at their other1ends bearagainstcollars'166 seated onisaid rods, toiur'ge normally the foldin'g blade,downwardly. These springs 165 are strong'enough'td cause normally thefolding blade 160 to move with the beam 141 but areemployed as-aprecaution in caseundue stresses'on the blade are encountereiasfor'lexample by jamming. f

- --In addition to the three'folding blades 145,146 and 160,

- the folding blade unit 140 carries a device for clamping a section ofthe blank'lfl against the folding roll 120 during the operation offolding thepad'about the rolls 120 and 121-n This claniping devicecomprises a bar 170 made of resilientmaterial, such as rubber, andsecured to the lowerends of a'pair of vertical rods 171 passing throughrespective slide bearings 172 on the beam 141. These rods 171 are springpressed downwardly by coil springs 173, bearing 'at'gtheir upper endsagainst the underside of the beam'141 and bearing at their lower endsagainst shoulders 174 on the rods.

With the "foregoing arrangement, asthe folding blade llnit l4tl movesdownward, the threefolding blades 145,

146 and160, begin their-folding operations on the blank 10, which hasdropped onto the foldingrolls 120 and.121

* after being released. from the jaws 18 and 19. Thefold- ,the blank 10on the folding roll 120 during this phase performs two functions. Itpermits the center folding blade 160 to pull the rear end of the blank10 clear from the cutting bladeson the cutting device 17, in case thisrear end has adhered to either of these cutting blades, and it anchorsone half of the blank opposite the folding roll against said roll and infixed position, thereby causing the other half of the blank opposite theother folding roll 121 to slide over the latter roll and around thecenter folding blade 160, as the folding blade unit continues itsdownward movement and to adjust itself positionally as the foldingproceeds.

The end folds 21 on the pad blank 10 must be gathered at their outerends to converge the sides of these end folds so that they do notproject beyond the sides of the blank. To that end, a series of tuckingblades 177 (Figs. 6 and 7) forming part of the folding blade unit 140are connected to each of the folding blades and 146. These tuckingblades 177 extend transversely of the folding blades and are adjustablysecured thereto. For that purpose, each folding blade 145 or 146 has aslot 178 extending therealong, and each tucking blade 177 is connectedto its corresponding folding blade'by means of a bracket block 180secured to the folding blade by means of a bolt 181 passing through saidblock and through said slot. The tucking blade '177 is connected to oneside of the block 180 by means of studs 182 and at its lower end has abevel 183 to form a V-tuck in the end section of the blank 10 as it isbeing folded back against the body of the blank by the folding blad e145 or146, as be more fully. 'de- 9 The folding blade unit 140 isreciprocated vertically in time relation with the horizontalreciprocating movement of the jaws 18 and 19. The mechanism for sooperating the folding blade unit 140 comprises a shaft 185 (Fig. 1)carrying a crank arm 186 at each end oscillated angularly by a link 187from the corresponding lever arm 54. At each end of the shaft 185 isanother crank arm 188 connected to the corresponding slide 142 through aconnecting rod or pitman 190. Since the two slides 142are connected tothe ends of the frame beam 141 of the folding blade unit 140, it is seenthat the vertical movements of the slides 142 in the guides 143 and 144cause this folding blade unit to reciprocate vertically.

As the blank is released from the jaws 18 and 19, it drops onto thefolding rolls 120 and 121. The blank 10 then rests on the folding rolls120 and 121 as shown in Fig. 8, but since the blank is longer than thewidth of the combined folding rolls, the ends of the blank projectbeyond the outsides of the rolls and must be supported. A pair of fixedvertical walls 195 and 196 (Figs. 3, 7, 8 and 11) flanking the foldingrolls 120 and 121 have their upper edges substantially flush with thetop surfaces of the rolls, so that the blank 10 just before foldingoperation will rest horizontally on the folding rolls and atits ends onthe walls, as shown in Fig. 8. Each of these walls 195 and 196 is spaceda small distance from the outer side of the corresponding folding roll120 or 121 to form a channel 197 of generally V-shaped crosssection, theside of this channel formed by the face of the Wall being fiat, theother side of this channel formed by the surface of the correspondingfolding roll being arcuate. These channels 197 serve as female foldingdies into which the end sections 21 of the blank 10 are pressed by thefolding blades 145 and 146 to initiate the folding operations at theends, as shown in Fig. 9.

After the folding operation has been initiated as shown in Fig. 9, andthe end sections 21 of the blank 10 have been bent inwardly along theirfold lines, a pair of folding jaws 200 (Figs. 3, 7, 8, 9 and 11) comeinto play to lap these partially folded end sections of the blankagainst the body of the blank and against the peripheries of the foldingrolls 120 or 121, to complete the end folds 21, as shown in Fig. 10.Each of these folding jaws 200 comprises a series of spaced fingers 202projecting from a frame piece 203 towards the corresponding foldingrolls 120 and 121 and each having an arcuate outer edge 204 conformingin curvature to the curvature of the outer periphery of thecorresponding folding roll 120 or 121. The folding fingers 202 aremovable cyclically towards and away from the folding rolls 120 and 121and in their operations pass through respective slots 205 in the walls195 and 196. For so oscillating the two sets of fingers 202, the ends ofeach frame piece 203 carrying each set of fingers 202 are rigidlyconnected to rocker anns 206 pivotally supported at 207 to the framestructure of the machine, as shown in Fig. 12. Between two of theserocker arms 206 on one side of the machine are two cams 210 and 211 onashaft 212. These cams are of similar design and shape but are disposed180 apart and the rocker arms 206 carry rollers 213 in followerengagement with these cams respectively. Springs 214 press the rollers213 against their respective cams 210 and 211.

For driving the cams 210 and 211, the pulley shaft 45 (Fig. 1) has apinion 215 in mesh with anidler gear 216, which in turn meshes with agear 217 on the shaft 218. On this shaft 218 is a sprocket 220 (Fig. 1)driving a sprocket 221 on the cam shaft 212 by means of a chain 222. Therotation of the shaft 212 rotates the cams 210 and 211 thereon andcauses the rocker arms 206 on opposite sides of the two folding rolls120 and 121 to move in opposite directions, thereby causing the two setsof fingers 202 to move towards and away from their respective foldingrolls 120 and 121. In extreme position close to their respective foldingrolls 120 and 121,

10 the two sets of fingers 202 press the end portions 21 of the blank10, which have been partiallyturned upwardly into the position shown inFig. 9 by the folding blades 145 and 146,against the peripheries of thetwo folding rolls and 121 to complete the end folds 21 as shown in Fig.10.

While the folding blade unit is moving downward and the folding blades'145 and 146 are partiallyfolding the end sections 21 'of the blank 10,the tucking blades 177 are pressing these end sections at spaced regionsthereacross into recesses 225 in the folding fingers 202, as shown inFigs. 9 and 11, and are forming therein V- tucks 226 in these endsections, thereby shortening the width of the blank at the outer ends ofthese end sections. This operation gathers the partially folded endsections 21 of the blank progressively from their fold lines towardtheir free ends, thereby tapering said end sections towards their freeends and causing the sides of these end sections to slant and to be setinwardly from the edges of the blank when lapped against the body of theblank, as;

shown in Fig. 16.

As the folding blade unit 140 comes down upon the:

horizontal blank 10 resting on the rolls 120 and 121 (which at thatphase are stationary) and on the fixed. flanking walls 195 and 196, asshown in Fig. 8, the middle folding blade 160, being lower than theoutside foldingblades and 146 and lower than the resilient clamp-- ingbar 170, will engage the blank 10, first in its in-- termediate sectionto fold this blank into the V-channel 230 defined between the twofolding rolls 120 and 121. and towards the bite of these rolls, as shownin Fig. 9. Before the middle folding blade reaches the bite of the tworolls 120 and 121, the clamping bar 170, by engaging thehalf of theblank 10 over the folding roll 120, will clamp this half of the blankagainst the roll 120, while the other half ofthe blank is free to slideover the folding roll 121 and around the middle folding blade.

During the last phase of operation described, the roll 121 isspring-pressed by the springs 131 (Figs. 3 and 14) into contact with theroll 120 supported on a fixed axis. To separate these rolls 120 and 121sufliciently to permit the middle folding blade 160 (with theintermediate section of the blank 10 wrapped around it) to entertherebetween, there is provided a pair of separating cam rods 235 (Figs.3, 6 and 7) secured to and depending from the frame beam 141 of thefolding blade unit 140 and having respective cam bevels 236 on one sideadapted to enter into spaces 237 (Fig. 3) between collars 238 supportedon the journals of the rolls 120 and 121 through antifriction bearingsfor free rotation thereabout. The lower sections of these separatingrods 235 are guided in the spaces 237 during vertical reciprocation ofthe folding blade unit 140, and during a predetermined phase of eachcycle, the bevels 236 on these rods, by engaging the collars 238 on theroll 121, cam said collars horizontally sidewise away from the collars238 of the other roll 120, thereby separating the two rolls 120 and 121sufficiently to permit the middle folding blade 160 with theintermediate section of the blank 10 wrapped around it, to enter easilyinto the spaces formed between said rolls by this separation, withoutjamming and without clamping this intermediate section'of the blankagainst the periphcries of the rolls. For that reason, this arrangementis more desirable than that employing the middle folding blade 160itself as the roll separating device, although as far as certain aspectsof the invention are concerned, the middle folding blade can be made toso operate.

It is desirable that the roll 121, during the separating operationdescribed, be spaced away from the middle folding blade 160 a distancegreater than the distance of the blade from the roll 120, to allow thehalf of the blank 10 wrapped around the roll 121 to slide easily overthe roll 121 and across the face of the folding blade 160, as thefolding proceeds towards the stage shown in Fig. 9. To accommodate forthis spacing, the folding blade 146 j 'n'lu st be spaced from themiddlefolding distance greater'than the distance the folding blade-1'45 was160 by a is spaced from the middle folding blade." This relativepositioning of the outside folding blades 145 and 146 is attained byemploying spacers 151 and 155 of difierent sizes (Fig. 7) to locatethese outside folding blades in the desired relation to the middlefolding blade 160. The spacing of the folding blades 145, 146 and 160and the cam conformations 236 on the cam rods 235 are such that theoutside folding blades 145 and 146 will be equally spaced from the outersides of the rolls 120 and 121, respectively, when said blades reach theend of their downward stroke.

While the blank 10 is being subjected to the partial 7 folding actionshown in Fig. 9, the folding rolls 120 and 121 are stationary and inrotary position to locate the banks of suction holes 135 and 136opposite the sections of the body of the blank next adjacent to the endfold sections 21*.

During this phase, the interiors of the foldrolls 120 and 121 are justabout beginning to be vacuumized. Also during this phase, the two setsof clamping fingers 202 are moving towards their corresponding rolls 120and 121 until they engage the partially folded end sections 21 of theblank and start lapping these end sections against the body of the blankand against the pe- Ln'pheries of the rolls in the regions of thesuction holes 135 and 136. While these clamping fingers 202 are sooperating, the folding blade unit 140 is returning upward,

thereby releasing the blank for action by these clamping fingers. Beforemaking this upward return movement,

j the folding blade unit 140 will have moved down sufl'iciently to causethe middle folding blade 160 to push the center fold of the blank intothe bite of the rolls 120 and 121.

V The rolls 120 and 121' have flutings 240 (Figs. 4 and 9 or areotherwise roughened on their surfaces for blank gripping action andthese flutings are so located on the two rolls as to lie in confrontingposition in the bite of the rolls, when the rolls are stationary and theblank is being folded thereabout in the phase shown in Fig. 9. After thefolding blade unit 140 has begun its upward return movement and rightafter the middle folding blade 160 has withdrawn from between the rolls126 and 121, the cam rods 235 (also moving upward) allow the roll 121under the influence of the springs 131 (Figs. 3 and 14) to move towardsthe. roll .120 and to spring-press the middle folded section of the padagainst the roll 120,

.whereupon the fluted sections of'the rolls seize the pad withsufficient pressure to feed the pad downward through the bite of therolls, upon mere rotation of these rolls in opposite directions;

While the rolls 120 and 121 are rotating in opposite directions to drawthe padof Fig. 16 downward therebetween theend sections '21 of the blankare lapped against the body of the blank to form the completed .endfolds 21 and are retained thereonin this lapped position by the actionof the vacuum in the rolls suc'torially acting upon said end sectionsthrough the peripheral holes .135 and 136 As the pad of Fig. 16 is beingfed downward through the feeding action of the rolls 121 and 121,

the halves of the pad. are progressively coming together to formthedoubly folded pad shown in Fig. 17.

doubly folded pad shown in Fig. 17 to be released from said rolls anddischarged ontothe conveyor 23.;

----For cyclically, driving the" folding rolls120 and 121 throughthedifferent phases described, the shaft 76 (Fig. lycarries a crankwheelg25 8, whichoperates'aratchet and pawl device 260 (Figs. 1, and'14)througha connecting rod 261 to rotate the folding rolls 1 20 and 121intermittently in a manner to be described. This ratchet and pawl device260 comprises a shaft 262 on which is loosely mounted a crank arm 263for oscillating movement thereabout. Said crank arm is pivotallyconnected at its outer end to one end of the connecting rod 261 foroscillating movement through the reciprocating action of said connectingrod and carries a pivotally mounted pawl 264 engaging the teeth of aratchet wheel 265 afl'ixed to the shaft 262. The teeth of the ratchetwheel 265 are so slanted that when the crank arm-263 is moving clockwise(Fig. 14), the pawl 264 is riding idly over said ratchet started to begripped. in the bite of the rolls.

teeth and when the crank arm 263 is moving counterclockwise, the pawl264 catches on to a tooth on the ratchet wheel 265 and drives saidratchet wheel counterclockwise. Since the ratchetwheel 265 is afiixed tothe shaft 262, this counterclockwise rotation of the ratchet wheel istransmitted to the shaft. For driving the rolls and 121 from the shaft262, the journals or shafts 122 and 126 on said rolls respectively, onone side of the machine, carry intermeshing gears 266 and 267, and theshaft 122 of the roll 120 carries a gear 268 meshing with a gear 269aflixed to the shaft 262. The two gears 266 p and 267 maintain theirintermeshing relationship at all times, even during the periods when therolls 120 and 121 are separated by the cam rods 235 to the maximumextent. p

The different gears and drive devices for the two rolls 120 and 121 areso proportioned in size that during each cycle of operation for eachblank, the gear 269 makes one quarter of a revolution, and the rollgears 266 and 267 which are of equal diameter make one completerevolution in opposite directions. Also the gearing described is sorelated to the rolls 120 and 121, that while the crank arm 263is idlymoving clockwise and the gear 269 is stationary, the rolls 120 and 121are stationary in the rotative phase position shown in Fig. 9 with thesuction holes and 136 in position to draw the end fold sections 21 ofthe blank towards the peripheries of the rolls and the two sets offlutings 240 on the two rolls in confronting position in the bite regionof the rolls. During counterclockwise rotation of the crank arm 263, therolls 120 and 121 are rotated by this crank arm througha completerevolution, to complete the folding operations and to discharge theresnlting doubly folded pad of Fig. 17. At the "end of such revolution,the rolls 120 and 121are returned into the position shown in Fig. 9 andtemporarily stopped spring 272 against a detent wheel 273 affixed to theshaft 262. This detent wheel273 has four teeth equally spaced andarranged to have a tooth in stop engagement with the detent, when therolls 120 and 121 are in proper stationary position to begin their phaseof operation. The detent teeth on the detent wheel 273 are slanted toride idly past the detent 270 upon counterclockwise rotation (Fig. 14)of said wheel and to be stopped against clockwise rotation by saiddetent. i

The vacuum in the folding rolls 120 and 121 is so controlled that it isturned on approximatelylin the phase shown in Fig. 9, afterthe blank 10has been partially folded and before the foldingfingers 202 take over'tocomplete the folding of theend sections 21 of the blank and is turnedoff after the completed end folds-21 have For subjecting the rolls120and .121 to the cyclic vacuumatic described,'the journals 123 and 127(Fig.3) of the folding rolls 12 0 and 121 on one side of the machine arehollow .and communicate with thehollow interiors of therolls.

These journals 123 and 127 connectjnto theinlet side of a va1ve box 27(F gs-3, 4 51. )..1ih1;o,u'gl1flexible connections 276, the outlet sideof the valve box being connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) through aconnection 278. In the valve box 275 is a butterfly valve member 280 ona shaft 281 serving to control vacuumatic communication between theinlets and outlet of the valve box. For operating this butterfly valvemember 280, the shaft 281 thereof is connected to a crank arm 282, whichin turn is pivotally connected to one end of a link 283, the other endbeing pivotally connected to one end of a lever 284 pivotally supportedat 285 on a fixed axis. The other end of the lever 284 carries a roller286 in follower engagement with a cam 287 on the shaft 76 (Fig. 1). Thisroller 286 (Fig. 13) is pressed against the cam 287 by a spring 290.

As the pad shown in Fig. 17 is discharged from the folding rolls 120 and121, it is guided towards the conveyor 23 by means of a series of rods291 (Figs. 7 and 10) arranged in the form of a grid to form a chute andextending from a region below thebite of the rolls 120 and 121 towardsthe conveyor 23. The conveyor 23 comprises a pair of parallel shafts 292and 293 (Figs. 1, 6, 7, 10 and each carrying a series of pulleys 294spaced therealong. Around aligned pulleys on the two shafts 292 and 293are belts 295. The spacings being belts permits the rods 291 definingthe chute to extend between belts, as shown in Fig. 7.

For driving the conveyor 23, the conveyor shaft 293 carries a gear 196(Fig. 15) meshing with a gear 297 on a shaft 298 carrying a pinion 300which meshes with a rear 301 on the shaft 212.

Although the operation of the machine is believed apparent from theforegoing description, it is herein briefly summarized.

The continuous strip 10 from the supply roll (not shown) is guided overthe rolls 15 and through the passageway defined between the plates 16and 25 to a region near the cutting device 17, as shown in Fig. l. Theforward end of this strip is gripped by the jaws 18 and 19 and pulledhorizontally by the movement of the carriage 40 towards the left whilethe plates 16 and 25 are separated, until a full section of the stripequivalent to the length of a blank 10 has been drawn into positionbetween the folding blade unit 140 and the folding rolls 120 and 121, asshown in Fig. 8. As soon as this section of the strip of predeterminedlength has been drawn into position over the folding rolls 120 and 121,the plates 16 and 25 come together to clamp the strip therebetween andthe cutting knife 111 descends to sever the section across the cuttingblock 110. As soon as this section has been severed, the jaws 18 and 19separate to release the resulting blank 10, while the plates 16 and 25hold on to the forward end of the continuous strip 10 to prevent thisforward end from recoiling from the forward edges of said plates. Theblank 10 as it is released from the jaws 18 and 19, drops onto the rolls120 and 121 and on to the flanking walls 195 and 196, as shown in Fig. 8in full lines. While the blank 10 is in this resting position and whilethe jaws 18 and 19 are out of the way of the folding blade unit 140,this unit descends. This operation causes the middle blade 160 to tuckthe intermediate section of the blank 10 towards the bite of the rolls120 and 121 while the cam rods 235 are separating these rolls, and atthe same time brings the clamping bar 170 onto the section of the blankresting on the roll 120, as shown in Fig. 9. Since this clamping bar 170is spring-supported, it remains in clamping position while the rest ofthe unit, including the folding blades 145, 146 and 160, continue theirdownward descent. This clamping of the blank 10 against the roll 120serves to assure against the adherence of the cut edge of the blank 10to the elements of the cutting device 17 and also serves to hold theblank in position, so that the section of the blank wrapped around theroll 121 can slide freely around the folding blade 146, over the roll121 and around the middle blade 160 for self adjustment as the foldingoperation proceeds.

The downward descent of the folding blade unit 140 as described causesthe outside blades 145 and 146 to partially turn upward the end sections21-- of the blank in the channels 197 formed between the rolls and thewall members 195 and 196, as shown in Fig. 9. At the same time, thetucking blades 177 press the end sections 21 of the blank into therecesses 225 in the clamping fingers 202, thereby forming the V-shapedtucks in said end sections to reduce the width of these sections attheir outer free ends.

After the end sections 21 of the blank 10 have been partially turnedupward and tucked to taper the end sections towards their outer freeends, the folding blade unit 140 begins to move upward and the clampingfingers 202 start to move inward towards their respective rolls and 121,to lap the partially turned end sections of the blank against the bodyof the blank and conformably against the peripheries of the rolls, asshown in Fig. 10. Up to that phase, the rolls 120 and 121 have beenstationary and their suction holes and 136 have been in positionopposite the end sections 21 of the blank. As the end sections 21 of theblank are lapped against the body of the blank and against theperipheries of the rolls 120 and 121, the interiors of the rolls areplaced in communication with the source of vacuum, so that the resultingend folds 21 are maintained against the peripheries of the rolls bytheaction of suction thereon.

After the clamping fingers 202 have lapped the end sections of the blank10 against the body of the blank, as shown in Fig. 10, and while saidend sections are maintained in fully folded position, the two rolls 120and 121 start rotating in opposite directions. Just prior to that phase,the upward movement of the cam rods 235 with the folding blade unit 140,has released the roll 121, so that it is positioned by the action of thesprings 131 sufficiently close to the roll 120, to cause the rolls togrip and feed the pad therebetween upon rotation thereof in oppositedirections. At the instant the rolls 120 and 121 start to rotate inopposite directions, the intermediate section of the blank 10 which hasbeen tucked into the bite of the two rolls is gripped by the flutings246 on said rolls and advanced thereby onto the chute 291 for deposit onthe conveyor 23. As soon as the outer free edges 243 of the end folds 21of the blank have moved into position to be gripped by the rolls 120 and121 for feeding, the interiors of the rolls are cut off from suction,and the resulting pad permitted to be discharged from said rolls. Thepad deposited on the conveyor 23 will have the shape shownin Fig. 17 andwill be transported thereby to some station, where it may be picked upfor further folding into the shape shown in Fig. 18 or may be otherwiseprocessed.

The operations described are all automatic and cyclic, so that thesections of the strip 10 are cut off in succession and folded insuccession in definite time relationship.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to aspecific embodiment, it is to be understood that it is not to be limitedthereto, but is to be construed broadly and restricted solely by thescope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for folding the end section of a flexible pad blank,comprising a roll, a wall member extending alongside of said roll anddefining with the periphery of said roll a channel of substantiallyV-shaped cross-section extending along said roll, a folding blade forpressing the end section of the blank into said channel while the bodyof the blank lies against the periphery of said roll to partially foldsaid end section, and a folding jaw movable to engage the partiallyfolded end section and lap said end section against the body of theblank on the periphery of the roll.

2. A device for folding the end section of a flexible pad blank,comprising a roll, a wall member extending alongside of said roll anddefining with the periphery of said roll a channel of substantiallyV-shaped cross-section extending along said roll, a folding bladereciprocable edgewise towards and away from said channel for pressingthe end section of the blank into said channel while the body of theblank lies against the periphery of said roll to partially fold said endsection, and a folding jaw mov- 5. able towards and away from said rolltransversely to the reciprocable movement of said folding blade andhaving an operative face confronting said roll and conforming incurvature substantially with the periphery of said roll for engaging thepartially folded section and press it against the body of the blank andconformably against the periphery of said roll.

3. A device for folding the end section of a flexible pad blankcomprising means for partially turning the end section of the blank andfor simultaneously forming a series of V-shaped tucks at spaced pointsthereacross to taper the end section towards its outer free end, andmeans for lapping the partially turned end section against the body ofthe blank while maintaining the taper therein to form an end fold withsides slanting from the fold line inwardly away from the sides of thebody of the blank.

4. A device for folding the end section of a flexible pad blankcomprising means including a folding blade-. for partially turning theend section of the blank and movable in and out of folding position,tucking blades connected to said folding blade at spaced sectionsthereacross for forming a series of V-tucks in said end section whilesaid end section is being turned by said folding blade to taper the endsection towards its outer free end, and means for lapping tthe turnedend section against the body of the blank while maintaining the tapertherein, to form an end fold with sides slanting from the fold lineinwardly away from the sides of the body of the blank.

5. A device for folding the end section of a flexible pad blankcomprising a support for the blank, means for partially turning the endsections of the blank while the body of the blank is resting againstsaid support, means for forming a series of spaced tucks across said endsection to taper the end section towards its outer free end andcomprising a member having a series of spaced tuck- 40 ing grooves and aseries of tucking blades for pressing the end section into said grooves,and means for lapping the turned end section against the body of theblank while maintaining the taper therein to form an end fold with sidesslanting from the fold line inwardly away from the sides of the body ofthe blank.

6. A device for folding the end section of a flexible pad blankcomprising a roll, means for partially turning the end section of theblank while the body of the blank is on the periphery of said roll, afolding jaw movable towards and away from said roll to lap the partiallyturned end section against the body of the blank and against theperiphery of the roll, said jaw presenting a series of tucking groovestherein, and tucking blades movable to tuck the end section of the blankat spaced points thereacross before being lapped against the body of theblank into said grooves to taper the end section towards its outer freeend and to form an end fold with sides slanting from the fold lineinwardly away from the sides of the body of the blank.

7. A device for folding the end section of a flexible pad blank,comprising a roll, a wall member extending alongside of said roll anddefining with the periphery of said roll a channel of substantiallyV-shaped cross-section extending along said roll, a folding bladereciprocable edgewise towards and away from said channel for pressingthe end section of the blank into said channel while the body of theblank lies against the periphery of said roll to partially fold said endsection, a folding jaw movable towards and away from said rolltransversely to the reciprocable movement of said folding blade andhaving an operative face confronting said roll and conforming incurvature substantially with the periphery of saidrollfor engaging thepartially folded section and press it against the body of the blank andconformably against the pe riphery of said roll, said jaw presenting aseries of tucking "grooves therein extending from. its operative face,and

tucking blades connected tosaid folding blade at spaced sectionsthereacross for pressing the end sectioninto said grooves while, said,end section is being partially folded by said fo-lding blade to taperthe end section towards its outer free end, whereby the sides of thefinal end fold will slant inwardly away from the sides of the body ofthe blank. 7 V a 8. A device. for folding flexible pad blanks comprisinga pair of rolls disposed alongside of each other in blank feedingrelationship, means for driving said rolls in opposite directions, afolding blade in a plane, substantially between. said rolls, meansforreciprocatingsaid blade edgewise and substantially in said plane towardsand away from the bite region of said rolls, and means for-deliveringblanks in succession between the rolls and the folding blade in timerelationship with the reciprocating movement of said folding blade, saidfolding blade being operable to tuck the blanks successively into thebite region of the rolls, whereby the blanks are folded in the processof being advanced by said rolls. 7

9. A device for folding a flexible pad blank comprising a pair of rollsdisposed alongside of each other in blank feeding relationship, one ofsaid rolls being a suction roll, means for folding an end section of ablank against the periphery of the suction roll, said end section beingheld in folded position againstthe periphery of the last mentioned rollby the action ofthe suction, means for tucking an intermediate sectionof the blank betweenthe rolls, means for rotating the rolls in oppositedirections to cause said blank with its endfold suctionally main tainedto be fed through the bite region of said rolls and to fold the blank.along said intermediate section, and

'means for breaking the suction on the suction roll after the end fold.has been seized by the bite of the rolls to permit separation of thefolded blank from said suction roll.

10. A device for folding a flexible blank comprising a pair of hollowrolls disposed alongside of each other in blank feeding relationship,each of said rolls having a series of perforations therealong incommunication with the interiors of. said rolls, means for subjectingthe interiors of said rolls to vacuum, means for. folding the endsections of a blank against the body of'the blank .and against theperipheries of said rolls in the,regions of said perforations, wherebysaid end sections are held in folded condition bythe action of suctionthereon, means for tucking the intermediate section of said blank intothe bite region of said rolls, and means for rotating said rolls inopposite directions to cause said blank to be fed through said rolls andthe tucked intermediate section of the blank to be doubly folded.

11. A device for folding a flexible pad blank comprising a pair of rollsalongside of each other and close together, means for partially turningthe end sections of a blank comprising a pair of parallel folding bladesmovable e dgewise in unison towards and away fromsaid rolls and locatedsubstantially centrally in relation to said rolls, said folding bladesbeing adapted to press the unsupported 0 end sections of the blank whilethe body of the blank is supported against said rolls, whereby said endsections are turned about the folding edges of said blade, means forlapping the partially turned. end sections of the blank against the bodyof the blank and against the peripheries of said rolls, an intermediatefolding blade between said first mentioned folding blades movable inunison therewith and adapted to tuck the intermediate section of saidblank into the constricted throat passage between said rolls, and meansfor rotating said rolls in opposite directions to advance said blanktherebetween while causing the twosections of the blank on oppositesides of the tuck line' to come together progressively for folding.

12. A device for folding a flexible padblank comprising a pair of rollsalongside of each other and close together to define a constrictedpassageway therebetween, a folding blade, means for reciprocating saidblade edgewise in a plane substantially centrally of the two rolls,whereby a blank between said blade and said rolls will be tucked towardssaid passageway, a blank clamping bar opposite one of said rolls, meansfor moving said clamping bar towards and away from blank holdingposition, and timed to hold a section of the blank opposite one of saidrolls against the latter roll during the tucking of the blank towardssaid passageway while the section opposite the other roll is adjustingitself around the edge of said folding blade and to release the blankthereafter, the tucked released blank being adapted to be drawn throughsaid passageway away from said folding blade to fold said blank, andmeans for cyclically operating said rolls to cause said rolls to bestationary during the tucking and holding operation and to rotate inopposite directions thereafter during the drawing operation.

13. A device for folding a flexible pad blank comprising a pair of rollsalongside of each other and close together to define a constrictedpassageway therebetween, a pair of parallel folding blades located onein a plane substantially centrally of the rolls, the other in a planenear the outer side of one of said rolls, means for reciprocating saidfolding blades edgewise towards and away from the rolls, the centrallylocated folding blade being adapted in its movements towards the rollsto tuck an intermediate section of the blank towards said passageway,means cooperating with the outer blade for folding the end section ofthe blank against the body of the blank and against said one roll, aclamping bar located between said folding blades and opposite said oneroll and movable with said blades but spring-pressed to move relative tosaid folding blades when in clamping position, said clamping bar beingoperable to hold a section of the blank opposite to said one rollagainst the latter roll during the tucking of the blank towards saidpassageway and the folding of the end section of the blank, while thesection of the blank opposite the other roll is adjusting itself aroundthe edge of the centrally located blade and to release the blankthereafter, the tucked and end-folded released blank being adapted to bedrawn through said passageway away from said centrally located foldingblade to fold said blank in its intermediate section, and means forcyclically operating said rolls to cause said rolls to be stationaryduring the tucking, end folding and holding operations and to rotate inopposite directions thereafter during the drawing operation.

14. A device for folding a flexible pad blank comprising a pair of blankfolding and feeding rolls disposed side by side, means for laying ablank onto the rolls, means for folding the end sections of the blankwhile On the rolls inwardly against the body of the blank and againstthe peripheries of the rolls respectively to form end folds, meansoperable substantially at the same time as the end folding of the blankfor tucking the intermediate section of the blank into the bite of theroll, and means for rotating the rolls in opposite directions to feedthe end folded and tucked blank through the rolls to doubly fold theblank.

15. A device for folding a flexible pad blank comprising a pair of rollsdisposed side by side in blank feeding relationship, the rolls beingsupported for relative movement apart transverse to their axes, springmeans urging the rolls relatively towards each other into blank feedingrelationship, a folding blade disposed in a plane substantiallycentrally of the rolls and movable edgewise towards and away from thebite of the rolls for tucking the intermediate section of a blanksupported against the rolls into the bite of the rolls, means operablewhile the folding blade is tucking the blank into the bite of the rollsfor separating the rolls against the action of said spring means topermit the folding blade to enter therebetween, and means for rotatingthe rolls in opposite directions for feeding the tucked blank throughthe rolls to fold doubly the blank as the blank passes through therolls.

16. A machine for making surgical gauze pads comprising a pair of rollsalongside of each other in blank feeding relation, means for drawing asection of a continuous flexible gauze strip over the rolls, a cutterfor severing the drawn section from the strip while in said position toform a blank over said rolls, the blank being adapted to drop upon therolls after severance, three parallel folding blades above the rollsoperable vertically in unison towards and away from the rolls, theoutside folding blades being close to the outer sides of the rolls, theintermediate folding blade being substantially centrally of the rolls,means forming with the outer sides of the rolls channels into which theoutside blades are adapted to press the end sections of the blanksupported on the roll during downward movement of the blades to turn theend sections of the blank upwardly, the intermediate blade being adaptedat the same time to tuck the intermediate section of the blank supportedon the rolls towards the bite of the rolls, means operable in unisonwith the folding blades for clamping the blank against one of the rollsduring said turning and tucking operations on the blank, means forfolding the turned end sections of the blank against the body of theblank and against the peripheries of the rolls respectively to form endfolds, means for rotating rolls in opposite directions to feed thetucked and end folded blank through the rolls, while the folding bladesand the clamping means are moving away from the rolls, means forsuctionally holding the end sections of the blank against the body ofthe blank and against the peripheries of the rolls, while the rolls arefeeding the blank therebetween, and means operable after the end foldshave moved into the bite of the rolls for releasing said suctionalholding means to permit discharge of the folded pad from the rolls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,326,827 Anthony Dec. 30, 1919 1,590,652 Shaffer June 29, 19262,335,970 Schmidt Dec. 7, 1943

